376 
346. The quantity of Sugar exported in the present day is less 
than half what it was in 1882. The exports of rum are not of 
importance, and the exports of molasses have fallen off largely in 
quantity, and still more in total value. 
347. When the sugar industry began to go down in 1884, t 
people turned, to some sede to the cultivation of small plots a 
land on their own acco There is now a large number of 
persons employed in this w way ; some on. plots which they have 
purchased from private owners, some on Crown land plots, some 
on land for IO they pay rent or which they cultivate on the 
metayer syst A good many are believed to be s squatters on 
Crown or a land, to which they have no title. * ” 
349. The production of muscovado sugar for eie has almost 
ceased. Only 494 tons of muscovado were exported in 1896, as 
against 3,055 1 tons of sugar made at central factories. About : 30 
e 
Sac Factory Piha assisted by the Government, which borrowed 
40,000/. for the purpose. Of this sum, 30,0007. was borrowed in 
but ta starvation is not to be fand: ai food sufficient to 
support existence is easily raised and la nd is obtaaties The 
island suffered greatly from a storm in 1894, and wages A 
reduced from 30 to 40 per cent. about two or three 
There are still a fw indentured immigrants, the last batch of 155 
having been brought to the Colony in 1893. The rates of wages 
now paid to the immigrants are not as high as those to which they 
are en ntitled by their agreements, It is not likely that more 
ensi will be applied for, and if applied Tio they should not be 
ned. 
san 
35 i e revenue of the Colony is hardly adequate to meet its 
a ae although some taxes are in force which are open to 
bi L L 
the gua and maintenance of roads as well as for other purposes. 
The general revenue rose from 38 ,993/. in 1882 to "56, 5907. in 1894. 
1 
of taxation and owing to pr receipts not of the nature of 
ordinary revenue, and not to be looked for in other years, 
amounting to 5,3107, the receipts were raised to 55,331. e 
expenditure in these three years was 54,4007., 57, 181, and 56 ,0607., 
and the deficit on General Revenue Account at the close of 1896 
was 50,088/. The Public Debt of the Island is 179,441/., of which 
95,8817. is due to expenditure on Castries Harbour, to enable it to 
be used as a coaling station. 
